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Social Work Post Qualifying Awards - PQ

What is the PQ framework?

The post-qualifying framework was originally launched in 1990 to bring a recognised national framework to post-qualifying training for qualified social workers. The Government made the Post-qualifying Awards for social workers a high priority and CSF made a commitment to support it. The target was for 40 people a year to receive the Award so that 40% of qualified social workers would have it by 2007, when the DOH hoped to have 5000 award holders nation-wide.

The PQ framework enables social workers to be awarded professional and academic credit by completing a GSCC approved programme. Candidates are assessed through university validated programmes which blend academic requirements with practice based application.

Who is eligible for post-qualifying training?

All social workers who have completed a recognised professional social work qualification are eligible to continue their learning by studying for a GSCC recognised post-qualifying award. This enables them to improve their skills and in some cases begin to specialise in a particular area such as childcare, mental health or fostering and adoption. It also the basis for progressing your career with Hertfordshire County Council, see the Appraisal Scheme in the CSF A-Z on Connect: organisation/csf/csfpolicya-z/appraisal

What does the new PQ framework look like?

The new Post Qualifying Awards will be available from September 2007. The new framework will allow social workers to continue their education and training after qualification in a flexible and modular way. There are three levels of awards in the new framework, each corresponding to a stage of professional and career development. The three awards are:

• the Post-Qualifying Award in Specialist Social Work;
• the Post-Qualifying Award in Higher Specialist Social Work; and
• the Post-Qualifying Award in Advanced Social Work.

There are five specialisms: mental health; adult social care; practice education; leadership and management; and children and young people, their families and carers.

Specialist Award: The first level focuses on consolidating, extending and deepening initial professional competence in a specialist context. There are five modules within this award: Consolidation, Research and Evidence Informed Practice, Risk Assessment and Ethics, Enabling Others and a specialist module in Children, Young People their Families and Carers. Some of the modules, where possible, will be taught with staff from other agencies. Staff with a PQ1 will have this APEL’d into the new award and will not need to complete the consolidation module.

Higher Specialist Award: The second focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to make complex judgements and manage risk and co-ordinate social support to children and their families. Those who can demonstrate that they are experienced in practice can complete the Consolidation Module of the Specialist Award and then progress onto the Higher Specialist. There will be six modules within the Higher Specialist are expected to be the same as those on the Specialist but at a higher level together with one module of the candidates choice.

Advanced Award: The third focuses on the knowledge and skills required for professional leadership and the improvement of services. This incorporates managerial forms of leadership but also includes other types of professional leadership including those linked to the promotion and dissemination of advanced practice skills.

To register your interest or for further information contact Sue Atkinson on 01707-281420 or by email sue.atkinson@hertscc.gov.uk